<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SoHcg8wlk_I/AAAAAAAAC-k/f8cYH1VYhl8/s1600-h/susan_boyle.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SoHcg8wlk_I/AAAAAAAAC-k/f8cYH1VYhl8/s400/susan_boyle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368814689426183154" /></a><br />I can't believe it. Yes! That's Susan Boyle, the 47-year-old "Britain’s Got Talent" star with a great voice but ....<br /><br />Anyway, she is in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar and they have completely transformed her. <br /><br /><object id="flashObj" width="486" height="412" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/4137679001?isVid=1&publisherID=4137370001" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=31836604001&playerID=4137679001&domain=embed&" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/4137679001?isVid=1&publisherID=4137370001" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=31836604001&playerID=4137679001&domain=embed&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br /><br />Read the <a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/feature-articles/susan-boyle-makeover-interview-0909?click=pp?link=emb&dom=yah_life&src=syn&con=blog_hbz&mag=har">Susan Boyle interview </a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-634124105313624592?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

The latest YouTube hit: Evian Roller Babies<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XQcVllWpwGs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XQcVllWpwGs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-1464045512000116547?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

You might have seen all the Superman movies but I bet you have never seen a dancing Superman or one that makes out with Spider girl. It's here...<br /><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tWq1nloyFf8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tWq1nloyFf8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-5678311406634498302?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Watching the rebroadcast of Michael Jackson memorial service online. Really touching. <br /><br />Michael we will miss you.<br /><br />Rest in peace.<br /><br />(I have removed the Livestream embed)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-8564777455097817465?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

The Godiva festival starts on Friday night (3rd July) at the War Memorial Park on the Kenilworth Road in Coventry. It will run till Sunday night (5th July).<br /><br />Loads of events for the family including rides, games, live music and totally FREE.<br /><br />Bands playing this year include Toploader, Idlewild and Newt.<br /><br />Visit the <a href="http://www.godivafestival.co.uk/">Godiva Festival site</a> for more info.<br /><br />Here's a video clip from last year:<br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Jxla8tBk1Q&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Jxla8tBk1Q&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-4132355534366075686?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Michael Schumaker was recently revealed as the Stig but is he?<br /><br />"Is it Susan Boyle?"<br /><br />Ha! Ha! Ha!<br /><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ifrtlC4NTys&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ifrtlC4NTys&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k58NOGqpxAg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k58NOGqpxAg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />Extra footage as compared to the one on the Topgear page.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-4558153817693266287?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Dance group Diversity beat Susan Boyle tonight.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B-o8egEWiZE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B-o8egEWiZE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />The kid with specs was pretty amazing - was the highlight of the whole routine.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-5584079691390668836?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SfriTVJIJ_I/AAAAAAAAC3I/Qpf8QWIck-I/s1600-h/Home_Roundel_300_DPI_CMYK_w_tag.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SfriTVJIJ_I/AAAAAAAAC3I/Qpf8QWIck-I/s320/Home_Roundel_300_DPI_CMYK_w_tag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330821930667223026" border="0" /></a><br />UKTV has relaunched UKTV Style as <a href="http://www.lovehome.co.uk/" target="blank">Home</a> starting 9am today morning.<br /><br />The channel will have a brand new look packed with inspirational home and gardens programming. New programmes include Gutted with Mark Durden Smith, which is exclusive to Home on Mondays at 10am from May 4th . Of course other favourites including <span style="font-style: italic;">Extreme Makeover: Home Edition</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">DIY SOS</span> will still be there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SfriWPBc0fI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/-wSIN3kdTlQ/s1600-h/mark d smith.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 184px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SfriWPBc0fI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/-wSIN3kdTlQ/s320/mark d smith.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330821980564017650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mark D. Smith</span><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/adamez/Desktop/Home_Roundel_300_DPI_CMYK_w_tag.jpg" alt="" /><br />FOr your information, UKTV is an independent commercial joint venture which was set in 1994, between BBC Worldwide and Virgin Media. The network has ten TV channels – Watch, G.O.L.D., Dave, Alibi, Eden, Blighty, Yesterday, UKTV Style, UKTV Food and UKTV Gardens.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-2360696204673164374?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Susan Boyle, a Scottish church volunteer and amateur singer has taken the World by storm after auditioning for this Year's Britain's Got Talent show.<br /><br />She got a lot more attention when Demi Moore announced that Susan moved "me to tears"‎ on Twitter. <br /><br />Watch her amazing performance "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY">YouTube</a><br /><br />When I last checked the video has had 21,249,741 views.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-3031264847766610054?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/Sd_DeZHzYLI/AAAAAAAAC2g/wr4F8TFBNpI/s1600-h/Volver_Poster.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/Sd_DeZHzYLI/AAAAAAAAC2g/wr4F8TFBNpI/s320/Volver_Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323188211482321074" /></a><br /><br />Recently watched the movie <a href="http://www.sonyclassics.com/volver/" target="blank">Volver</a> with my wife on DVD. Starring Penélope Cruz in the lead role for which she was nominated for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Actress. This is a true feminist movie and though I enjoyed it, I couldn't but help feel a bit disappointed.<br /><br />The reason was that there wasn't a single positive male character in the movie. The impression that you get after watching the movie is that all guys are pigs. And I am not saying this just because I am a guy.<br /><br />Here's the official trailer. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ABSvppyQGdE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ABSvppyQGdE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-8576361010917606517?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SdxmPD6ELuI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/1BcbBn5G1so/s1600-h/Terminator-salvation-poster.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SdxmPD6ELuI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/1BcbBn5G1so/s320/Terminator-salvation-poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322241268578004706" /></a><br /><br />The Terminator sequel is another movie I am really looking forward to. It will be released on the 21 of May this year. Starring Christian Bale in the lead role as John Connor and Sam Worthington as the mysterious Marcus Wright who later turns out to be a good Terminator. <br /><br />Check out the official <a href="http://terminatorsalvation.warnerbros.com/" target="blank">Terminator: Salvation website.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-9150696462294020605?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Just found out about Celia & Chloe, two friends on a journey to their night of fame. It is a series on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/celiaandchloeuk" target="blank">YouTube</a> and shows the girls adventures as they get closer to the European Première of the new Hannah Montana movie. Currently episode 6 is live on YouTube. Should appeal to young girls.<br /><br />Here's the first episode:<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q4FFKn_4SgY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q4FFKn_4SgY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />You also might be able to join Celia and Chlöe for the Movie Premiere of the year and be filmed for the show. Go over to their page on Bebo for more information: <a href="http://www.bebo.com/Celiaandchloe" target="blank">http://www.bebo.com/Celiaandchloe</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-7574345064327389358?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Quite excited when I read the news today. One of my favourite childhood boy bands <a href="http://www.spandauballet.com/" target="blank">Spandau Ballet</a> have reunited and are going to perform a series of tours in UK and Ireland. <br /><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xn_x1zqLj1k&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xn_x1zqLj1k&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-7869149442678047842?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Whoever made this is really creative.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ywu1DeqXTg4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ywu1DeqXTg4&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-4648017973851230752?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

I am a sucker for super hero movies and even if they turn out to be complete flops like the Punisher, I still look forward to adaptations of popular comic characters.<br /><br />I am sure you have heard, director Zack Snyder's adaptation of DC Comics series, <a href="http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/">Watchmen</a> is coming out today.<br /><br />Set in an alternate comic universe where the cold war is still on. I am lookward to see how they have been able to reduce the whole series into a movie which is couple of hours long.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ONQ3Zgy195Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ONQ3Zgy195Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-6288751800034819430?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Out of the short-list of 6 books mentioned in my <a href="http://www.rahil.info/2009/02/warwick-prize-for-writing-shortlist.html">previous post</a>, Naomi Klien has won the <a href="http://ok-lah.blogspot.com/2009/02/naomi-klein-wins-inaugural-warwick.html">inaugural Warwick Prize for Writing </a>for her book '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312427999?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=ahoklahblo-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0312427999">The Shock Doctrine</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ahoklahblo-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0312427999" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" />'.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-5191317945145455942?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

The £50,000 <a href="http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/prizeforwriting/">Warwick Prize for Writing</a> today announced its first ever shortlist. It comprises six international titles from different generes.<br /><br />Here's the shortlist:<br /><ol><li>Lisa Appignanesi for Mad, Bad and Sad: A History of Women and the Mind Doctors from 1800, Virago</li><li>Francisco Goldman for The Art of Political Murder: Who Killed Bishop Gerardi?, Atlantic Books</li><li>Stuart A Kauffman for Reinventing the Sacred, Perseus - Basic Books</li><li>Naomi Klein for The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Penguin</li><li>Alex Ross for The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century, 4th Estate</li><li>Enrique Vila-Matas (translator: Jonathan Dunne) for Montano's Malady, New Directions*</li></ol> <br /><br />The inaugural prize is run and entirely funded by the University of Warwick. I am proud to have been involved in the initial judging panels.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-8640884680799181856?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SZ70RcAXEdI/AAAAAAAACxU/o7Gxfzc0Ec0/s1600-h/transformers.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lSjIBmN3Tqc/SZ70RcAXEdI/AAAAAAAACxU/o7Gxfzc0Ec0/s320/transformers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304945991501681106" /></a><br />Just found out that the sequel to the Transformers movie is coming soon. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.transformersmovie.com/">Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen</a> is due to hit the screens on 26th June of this year.<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n87WSrA_Kfk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n87WSrA_Kfk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-2034203130796559227?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Ozzy remains one of my all time favourite rockers. Though you may find it hard to understand when he speaks, everything seems crystal clear when he sings. <br /><br />This is one ballad you might like as well:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oUYWBgd1tpQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oUYWBgd1tpQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-7142151393418953465?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Some good news for all <a href="http://www.rahil.info/2007/02/upcoming-brit-singer.html">Lily Allen</a> fans out there. You can now listen to Lily Allen’s new album ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You' in full and for an entire week before anyone else exclusively on <a href="http:// www.myspace.com/lilymusic">Lily's Myspace site</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-945282655984143751?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Have you seen <a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/">Slumdog Millionaire?</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> I can't wait to see the movie.<br /><br />Here's <span class="description">Director Danny Boyle talking about the movie.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HJRzk2WfOAo&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HJRzk2WfOAo&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Hope they win the Oscars as well.<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-650998151976820375?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

The £50,000 <a href="http://www.warwick.ac.uk/go/prizeforwriting">Warwick Prize for Writing</a> longlist of nominees was recently announced. FYI, the Warwick Prize is entirely self-funded by the University of Warwick.<br /><br />What sets this prize apart from other literary prizes is that it is cross-disciplinary biennial award open to substantial pieces of writing in the English language and in any genre or form. This includes traslations from other languages.<br /><br />The theme for the 2009 prize is ‘Complexity’.<br /><br />The longlist consists of 20 titles, 12 non-fiction and eight fiction. They are as follows:<br /><ol><li>Mad, Bad and Sad: A History of Women and the Mind Doctors from 1800, Lisa Appignanesi, Virago, Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Tiger That Isn’t, Michael Blastland &amp; Andrew Dilnot, Profile Books, Non-Fiction.</li><li>Torques: Drafts 58-76, Rachel Blau Duplessis, Salt Publishing, Poetry.</li><li>Glister, John Burnside, Jonathan Cape Random House, Fiction.</li><li>Planet of Slums, Mike Davies, Verso, Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Art of Political Murder: Who Killed Bishop Gerardi?, Francisco Goldman, Atlantic Books, Non-Fiction.</li><li>Someone Else, John Hughes Giramondo Publishing Company, Fiction.</li><li>Reinventing the Sacred, Stuart A Kauffman, Perseus - Basic Books, Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, Naomi Klein, Penguin, Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Burning Thomas Legendre Abacus Little, Brown Book Group, Fiction.</li><li>Adam’s Ancestors: Race, Religion and the Politics of Human Origins, David Livingstone Johns Hopkins University Press , Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Wild Places, Robert Macfarlane, Granta Books, Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Meaning of the 21st Century, James Martin Eden Project, Transworld Publishers, Non-Fiction.</li><li>Brasyl, Ian McDonald Gollancz, Orion, Fiction.</li><li>Netherland, Joseph O’Neill 4th Estate, Harper Collins, Fiction.</li><li>The Rest Is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century, Alex Ross 4th Estate, Harper Collins, Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Informers, Juan Gabriel Vasquez (translator: Anne McLean), Bloomsbury, Fiction</li><li>Montano's Malady, Enrique Vila-Matas (translator: Jonathan Dunne), New Directions, Fiction.</li><li>Portrait with Keys, Ivan Vladislavic Portobello, Books, Non-Fiction.</li><li>The Trader the Owner the Slave, James Walvin, Jonathan Cape Random House, Non-Fiction.</li></ol> A shortlist of six titles will be announced on 23 January 2009, while the final winner will be announced on 24 February 2009 at the University of Warwick.<br /><br />In addition to the monetary prize, the winning author will be awarded the opportunity to take up a short placement at the University of Warwick.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-6273945515242498963?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

Alexandra Burke took this year's <a href="http://xfactor.itv.com/">X Factor</a> crown yesterday in an amazing finale. She was up against group JLS. <br /><br />She performed an great duet with Beyonce and I have to say, she has been the best X-Factor winner ever since I first started watching this reality talent show on TV in the UK. <br /><br />Her version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is expected to be the No 1 single this Christmas.<br /><br />Burke's mentor was Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-888182993930649018?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>

A lot of Britney fans were disappointed with her X Factor performance. When all the contestants had to sing their songs live, she mimed to her latest hit 'Womanizer'. <br /><br />Watch Britney's performance on YouTube and tell me what you think:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x1mLnjH1zVQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x1mLnjH1zVQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14471960-3698916990206064821?l=www.rahil.info' alt='' /></div>